Thursday, July 6, 2017

Alexander the Great Ancient Greek Coin Types VIDEO

Alexander the Great was king of the Macedonian Kingdom from 336-323 B.C. His father was Philip II, who gave him the most quality education, including with the famous philosopher Aristotle. Trained in battle with his father Philip, Alexander did not stay in his father's shadow and went on to create an empire that is has effects on Western Civilization to this day. The types of coins Alexander introduced, including those in gold, silver and bronze, were used as prototypes of the coins struck hundreds of years after his death. Since his coins were so well known and accepted, for hundreds of years, his types were struck by various other rulers and cities. Coins were struck bearing his portrait and name into the ancient Roman times over 500 years later. Very interesting series of ancient coins to collect. See some great examples of them here. See all the different types of Alexander the Great coins available.

See many of the Different Types of Ancient Alexander the Great coins

The standard reference that is used to identify most of the coins of Alexander the Great is called: The coinage in the name of Alexander the Great and Philip Arrhidaeus: A British Museum catalogue by M. Jessop Price. So that is what is usually referenced below every coin you will find in my store.

The Coins:

Greek King Philip II of Macedon 359-336 B.C. Father of Alexander III the Great Bronze 18mm (6.41 grams) Struck circa 356-336 B.C. in the Kingdom of Macedonia Commemorating his Olympic Games Victory Head of Apollo right, hair bound with tainia. Youth on horse prancing right, ΦIΛIΠΠΟΥ above.* Numismatic Note: Authentic ancient Greek coin of King Philip II of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great. Fascinating coin referring to his Olympic victories.History and Meaning of the Coin During the times of ancient Greeks, horse racing was one of the events various Greek city-states and kingdoms would have intense competition with each other, as it was of great prestige to participate. Before the time of Philip II, the kingdom of Macedonia was considered barbarian and not Greek. Philip II was the first king of Macedon that was accepted for participation in the event, which was a great honor all in itself. It was an even greater honor that Philip's horses would go on to win two horse-racing events. In 356 B.C., he won the single horse event and then in 348 B.C. chariot pulled by two horses event. As a way to proudly announce, or what some would say propagandize these honors, Philip II placed a reference to these great victories on his coins struck in all three metals of bronze, silver and gold. The ancient historian, Plutarch, wrote "[Philip of Macedon] ... had victories of his chariots at Olympia stamped on his coins."

Alexander III the Great as Hercules 336BC Ancient Greek Coin Bow Club i40942

Alexander III the Great - King of Macedonia 336-323 B.C. Bronze 18mm (5.39 grams) Struck under Alexander the Great circa 336-323 B.C. Reference: Sear 6739 var. Head of Alexander III the Great as Hero Hercules right, wearing the lion-skin headdress. Hercules' weapons, bow in bow-case and club, BA in between.

Alexander III the Great as Hercules 336BC Ancient Greek Coin Bow Club i47432

Alexander III the Great - King of Macedonia 336-323 B.C. Bronze 19mm (5.18 grams) Struck under Alexander the Great 336-323 B.C. Reference: Sear 6739 var. Head of Hercules right, wearing the lion-skin headdress. Hercules' weapons, bow in bow-case and club, ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ in between.

Greek Coin of Alexander III the Great - King of Macedonia 336-323 B.C. Bronze 16mm (3.49 grams) Struck under Alexander the Great 336-323 B.C. Reference: Sear 6743 Alexander III the Great as young Hercules right, clad in lion-skin. ΑΛΕΞΑΝ-ΔΡΟΥ, Eagle standing right on thunderbolt, looking back; leaf in upper field to left.

Alexander III the Great: Macedonian Greek King: 336-323 B.C. Roman Era, Olympic-Style Games Issue Bronze 26mm (13.73 grams) from the Koinon of Macedonia in Thrace under Roman Control Struck circa 222-235 A.D. under the reign of Roman Emperor Severus Alexander AΛЄΞANΔPOV, Head of Alexander the Great right with loose, flowing hair. KOINON MAKЄΔONΩN NEΩ, Alexander the Great on his legendary horse, Bucephalus, galloping right with cape flowing behind him.* Numismatic Note: Leaders like Julius Caesar and the Romans and the Greeks alike had immense respect for the great accomplishments of Alexander the Great. Macedonia, being the kingdom of Alexander the Great's birth, this coin featuring his likeness heralds the Neocorate status of the area, along with the Olympic-style games that accompanied it. Highly-desirable type.

Alexander III, the Great: Macedonian Greek King: 336-323 B.C. Roman Era, Olympic-Style Games Issue Bronze 27mm (13.00 grams) from the Koinon of Macedonia in Thrace under Roman Control Struck circa 222-235 A.D. under the reign of Roman Emperor Severus Alexander AΛЄΞANΔPOV, Head of Alexander the Great right as Hercules, wearing lion-skin headdress. KOINON MAKЄΔONΩN NЄΩKO B, Agonistic prize table with two urns atop, each containing a palm branch which was a symbol for victory; amphora (vase) below table; B above table.* Numismatic Note: Leaders like Julius Caesar and the Romans and the Greeks alike had immense respect for the great accomplishments of Alexander the Great. Macedonia, being the kingdom of Alexander the Great's birth, this coin featuring his likeness heralds the Neocorate status of the area, along with the Olympic-style games that accompanied it. Highly-coveted type.

Alexander III, the Great: Macedonian Greek King: 336-323 B.C. Roman Era, Olympic-Style Games Issue Bronze 25mm (11.31 grams) from the Koinon of Macedonia in Thrace under Roman Control Struck circa 222-235 A.D. under the reign of Roman Emperor Severus Alexander AΛЄΞANΔPOV, Head of Alexander the Great right with loose, flowing hair. B KOINON MAKЄΔONΩN NEΩ, Two temples.* Numismatic Note: Leaders like Julius Caesar and the Romans and the Greeks alike had immense respect for the great accomplishments of Alexander the Great. Macedonia, being the kingdom of Alexander the Great's birth, this coin featuring his likeness heralds the Neocorate status of the area, along with the Olympic-style games that accompanied it. Highly-coveted type.

Alexander III, the Great: Macedonian Greek King: 336-323 B.C. Roman Era, Olympic-Style Games Issue Bronze 25mm (12.19 grams) from the Koinon of Macedonia in Thrace under Roman Control Struck circa 222-235 A.D. under the reign of Roman Emperor Severus Alexander AΛЄΞANΔPOV, Head of Alexander the Great right with loose, flowing hair. KOINON MAKЄΔONΩN NEΩ, Alexander the Great on his legendary horse, Bucephalus, galloping right with cape flowing behind him and holding spear.

Commodus - Roman Emperor: 177-192 A.D. Silver Denarius 17mm (2.50 grams) Rome mint: 192 A.D. Reference: RIC 251; RSC 190; sear5 #5644 L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL, head of Commodus right as Hercules wearing lionskin headdress. HER-CVL RO-MAN AV-GV either side of club of Hercules, all in wreath.* Numismatic Note: This very scarce issue comes from the very end of Commodus' reign where his megalomania got him to image that he was the re-incarnation of Hercules. Desirable type.